Penn Vet | Academics

Penn Vet Announces Forthcoming Retirement of Faculty Member, Cynthia Otto, DVM, PhD

The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine announced the forthcoming retirement of Professor of Working Dog Sciences and Sports Medicine, Cynthia “Cindy” Otto, DVM, PhD, effective on July 1, 2026, after 33 years of dedicated service to the School. Her pre-retirement sabbatical will begin in July 2025.

Penn Vet Researcher Named Winner of Veterinary Pathology Editor’s Choice Award

Joy Tomlinson, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) assistant professor of large animal medicine, has received the inaugural 2024 Veterinary Pathology Editor’s Choice Award for an Observational Study for the 2023 manuscript "Naturally acquired equine parvovirus-hepatitis is associated with a wide range of hepatic lesions in horses." Tomlinson was honored with the award during the Annual Meeting of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists on November 19th in Seattle.

Rae Thudium Named Head of Penn Veterinary Libraries

Rae Thudium has been selected to serve as head of veterinary libraries at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet), effective January 8, 2025. In this role, Thudium will oversee the operations and staff at the Steven W. Atwood Veterinary Medicine Library on campus and the Jean Austin du Pont Veterinary Medicine Library at Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa.

Collaborating on agricultural climate solutions, from plants to animals

The new Penn Plant Adaptability and Resilience Center brought together faculty speakers from five schools for its Climate Solutions for the Living World symposium.

Penn Vet Student Spends Semester in Malawi as Part of New Educational Partnership

As a student in the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s (Penn Vet) VMD-PhD program, Ashley Vanderbeck’s educational path has been a long one.

Andrew M. Hoffman reappointed dean of Penn Vet

Hoffman’s second term as the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine will extend to June 30, 2030.

A photo of a woman in front of building with Penn Vet sign.

Erin Gibson, DVM, DACVS-SA, Named to Pamela Cole Professorship at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine

Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet) has named Erin Gibson, DVM, DACVS-SA, an assistant professor, clinician-educator track, in the department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, the Pamela Cole Career Development Chair of Small Animal Minimally Invasive Surgery. The Pamela Cole Professorship supports promising, early career faculty engaged in companion animal research.

Brady Beale, VMD, DACVO and Barbara Dallap Schaer, VMD, DACVS, DACVECC

The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine Announces Two New Associate Dean Appointments

[August 7, 2024; PHILADELPHIA] – The Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine, Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, announced the appointment of two new associate deans at the School’s veterinary hospitals. These new appointments signify the invaluable impact hospital services have on the School’s three-part mission.

A photo of Andrew Hoffman, Kotaro Sasaki, and Chris J. Lengner.

Kotaro Sasaki, MD, PhD, Named Richard King Mellon Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine

[July 11, 2024; Philadelphia, PA] – Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet) has named Kotaro Sasaki, MD, PhD, the Richard King Mellon Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences.

Five Veterinary Students from the University of Pennsylvania Receive 2024-2025 American Kennel Club Scholarships

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has awarded five students from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet) with AKC Veterinary Outreach Scholarships. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia, in partnership with the AKC, is a supporter of Penn Vet’s AKC Scholarship program.

Equine Behaviorist at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine Honored with Prestigious National Impact Award

The National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics (NAEAA) has named Sue McDonnell, PhD, adjunct professor of Reproduction and Behavior and head of the Equine Behavior Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) this year’s recipient of the 2024 Don Henneke Educational Impact Award.

Brianna Blunck and Natalie Bauer standing in front of sign

Exploring wildlife medicine in a summer externship

Two graduating Penn Vet students reflect on their Rocky Mountain Wildlife Veterinary Externship experience last summer, researching black-footed ferrets, bighorn sheep, and elk.

Two people with one of them holding a plaque

SAVMA Student Teaching Awards 2024

On Friday, April 19, the Penn Vet community gathered to honor students, faculty, and hospital staff during the annual SAVMA Student Teaching Awards. Recipients are selected by the student body in a variety of categories.

A dog being trained at Working Dog Center

Bringing cognitive science in action to young minds

Penn Upward Bound high school students from West Philadelphia got a tour of the Penn Smart Aviary, GRASP Lab, and the Penn Vet Working Dog Center during a visit to Pennovation Works.

Veterinary Advocate Dr. Amanda Bisol, V’11, named as Penn Vet’s 2024 Commencement Speaker

Amanda Bisol, VMD, will deliver the address at the 2024 University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) Commencement to be held on Monday, May 20, 2024.

By the Numbers: Penn Vet’s agricultural impact

In addition to excellence in teaching and clinical care for companion animals, Penn Vet makes indispensable contributions to the state’s agriculture sector.

University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine Receives Grant to Develop Veterinary Training Program for Rural Communities

Principal investigators Joseph S. Bender, DVM, MS, and Sarah Rassler, VMD, awarded grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to enhance rural veterinary services and bolster economic viability of livestock producers.

Deans of health schools discuss climate change in their fields

Deans and leaders from the schools of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dental Medicine, Nursing, and Social Policy & Practice discussed climate and health at a Climate Week event.

climate minute lectures on college green

Climate Week 2023 highlights the links between biodiversity and the climate crisis

The climate crisis impacts everyone. During Climate Week at Penn, which will be held from Sept. 18-22, everyone is invited to find their place in the climate movement.

students studying the galapagos, sitting on waterfront

Social ecology and community work in the Galápagos

Daniel Beiting, PhD, associate director of the Institute for Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases, expanded his work this summer in the Galápagos, giving Stephanie Sila, V’25, an ideal opportunity to gain first-hand experience in identifying different mosquito species and human disease cases on the island.

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